The absence of snow at lower elevations this year means the Bureau of Land Management and Colorado Parks and Wildlife are reopening some trails near Durango earlier than usual.
Popular hiking and biking trails along Grandview Ridge – including Sidewinder and Big Canyon – and Animas City Mountain reopened to the public Tuesday, two weeks ahead of schedule. Other areas, including the north side of Animas City Mountain and part of the Perins Peak State Wildlife Area east of County Road 208, remain closed through July 31.
The Demonstration Trails, which include the downhill-only jump lines and the Mesa Connector linking Durango Mesa Park to the Horse Gulch Trailhead, opened Wednesday, the organization confirmed.
CPW uses cameras and wildlife officers to enforce the closures. People caught entering closed zones are subject to a $139.50 fine.
Typically, large swathes of public lands around Durango are closed Dec. 1 through April 30 to protect deer and elk that rely on lower-elevation winter range.
“This year there isn’t much snow at low- to mid-elevations, opening up a lot of range. This will provide more areas for deer and elk to move into without being constricted with snow,” Colorado Parks and Wildlife Biologist Brad Weinmeister said in a news release. “People are also encouraged to keep their dogs on a leash to protect wildlife that is still in the area.”
The San Juan National Forest announced last week that it had begun opening seasonally closed roads in the Dolores and Pagosa Ranger Districts based on road conditions. Roads in the Columbine Ranger District will begin to open May 1, in accordance with the dates on the motor vehicle use map.
An interactive map of all state and BLM closures can be viewed at bit.ly/3Bbj3mJ.
rschafir@durangoherald.com
